How to Be Professional Video Game Player - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Sep 2, 2021 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

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Playing video games professionally has become an increasingly popular career choice, with professional gamers making large sums of money streaming their gaming sessions on platforms like Twitch and YouTube. As more people become aware of the potential of professional gaming, the activity has grown in popularity. This has had a cause and effect relationship on the industry, with the increased interest leading to greater investment in the gaming industry by game companies and sponsors.

This has led to more tournaments being held, larger prize pools for winning teams, and better equipment and resources for players. In turn, this has created more opportunities for professional gamers to make money from streaming and competing in tournaments, as well as increased visibility for the industry as a whole.

Steps How to Become

Develop Your Skills. Develop your skills in the game you want to play professionally. Practice frequently and gain an understanding of the game mechanics, strategies, and competitive scene.
Stream Your Gameplay. Start streaming your gameplay on Twitch, YouTube, or other streaming platforms. This is a great way to gain exposure and start building your fan base.
Join a Professional Team. Find a professional team that suits your playing style and goals. This will give you access to better resources, coaching, and competitive experience.
Participate in Competitions. Participate in local and online tournaments and leagues. This will help you hone your skills and build your competitive resume.
Market Yourself. Use social media, streaming, and other platforms to market yourself as a professional gamer. Create a brand and distinguish yourself from other gamers.
Network with Other Players. Network with other players in the competitive gaming scene. Reach out to tournament organizers, sponsors, and other players for opportunities.
Stay Committed. Remain committed to improving your skills and competing in tournaments. Professional gaming is a competitive field, so staying ahead of the competition is key.

To stay ahead and qualified as a professional video game player, it is important to be constantly learning and improving. This means taking the time to practice, participate in tournaments, and study competitive strategies. keeping up with the latest trends in gaming technology and hardware can help players stay competitive.

Regularly researching the games they play and the strategies used by other professional players can also keep them at the top of their game. by staying informed, practicing diligently, and learning from others, professional video game players can remain ahead and qualified in the ever-evolving esports world.

You may want to check Online Gaming Programmer, Online Gaming Designer, and PC Video Gamer for alternative.

Job Description

Competitive Video Game Player: Participates in tournaments to compete against other players to win prizes, and potentially earn a living from professional gaming.
Streamer: Broadcasts live video of themselves playing video games and interacting with viewers on platforms such as Twitch and YouTube.
Content Creator: Produces video game-related content, such as reviews, tutorials, playthroughs, and discussion videos, for platforms such as YouTube and Twitch.
Esports Commentator: Analyzes live video game competitions and provides commentary to viewers, giving insight into the strategies and tactics of the players.
Game Tester: Tests video games in development by playing them and reporting any bugs they encounter.
Esports Team Manager: Manages an esports team, taking care of financials and administrative tasks, as well as recruiting and managing players.
Twitch Partner: Partners with Twitch to monetize their channel, using their platform to make money from ads, donations, and subscriptions.
Video Game Journalist: Writes about video games for publications, websites, and blogs.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Strategic Thinking: Ability to anticipate the actions of opponents and think several moves ahead in order to create an effective strategy and achieve victory.
Problem Solving: Ability to quickly identify problems and devise solutions in a highly competitive and constantly changing environment.
Decision Making: Ability to make quick and accurate decisions in order to react to opponents moves and seize opportunities.
Tactical Awareness: Ability to observe and analyze opponents strategies in order to gain an advantage over them.
Hand-Eye Coordination: Ability to accurately control characters and objects using a game controller or other input device.
Focus and Concentration: Ability to remain focused on the task at hand despite distractions and pressure from opponents.
Adaptability: Ability to quickly change strategies and tactics in response to changing situations.
Teamwork: Ability to work with teammates to coordinate efforts and achieve shared goals.
Communication: Ability to discuss strategies with teammates and communicate effectively during competition.
Knowledge of Game Rules and Mechanics: Ability to understand game rules and mechanics, as well as how to use them to your advantage.

Being a professional video game player requires a wide range of skills and knowledge. One of the most important skills to have is the ability to think strategically. This skill helps players analyze their opponents strategies and plan their own moves accordingly.

Strategic thinking also helps players anticipate their opponents next moves and plan their own multiple steps ahead. Good hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes are essential to stay ahead of the competition as well. Players must also be able to adapt quickly to changing game scenarios and make decisions on the fly.

Finally, having an in-depth understanding of the game mechanics and advanced techniques can give players an edge over their opponents. Together, these skills will help players become top contenders in the ever-evolving world of professional video game playing.

Multiplayer Gaming Designer, Multiplayer Gaming Programmer, and Professional eSports Player are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What made you want to become a professional video game player?
What video games have you been successful in competing in?
Describe a recent tournament or competition you've participated in.
What strategies do you use to stay competitive and win?
How do you stay focused and motivated during long gaming sessions?
How do you handle stressful situations while playing?
How do you handle criticism and defeat?
How do you stay up-to-date on the latest trends in gaming?
How do you balance professional gaming with other aspects of your life?
What is the most rewarding part of being a professional video game player?

Common Tools in Industry

Console. A gaming system such as Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo Switch. (e. g. Xbox One X)
Controllers. A device used to control the game, such as a gamepad, joystick, or steering wheel. (e. g. Xbox Wireless Controller)
Headsets. Audio devices used to communicate with teammates and hear game audio. (e. g. SteelSeries Arctis Pro)
Capture Cards. An external device that records and streams gameplay from a console or computer. (e. g. Elgato Game Capture HD60 S)
Streaming Software. Software used to broadcast gameplay to streaming platforms such as Twitch and YouTube. (e. g. OBS Studio)
Video Editing Software. Software used to create highlight reels and promotional videos for sponsors. (e. g. Adobe Premiere Pro)
Training Software. Software used to analyze gameplay and track performance over time. (e. g. KovaaK's FPS Aim Trainer)
Analytical Tools. Programs used to assess in-game stats and compare them to other players' stats. (e. g. Mobalytics GPI)

Professional Organizations to Know

Professional eSports Association (PEA)
Electronic Sports League (ESL)
World Gaming Executive Summit (WGES)
Major League Gaming (MLG)
International eSports Federation (IeSF)
Electronic Sports Federation (ESF)
World Cyber Arena (WCA)
International Video Game Federation (IVGF)
Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL)
Global eSports Federation (GEF)

We also have Online Gamer, Gaming Events Coordinator, and Gaming Platforms Analyst jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

eSports. A form of competitive video gaming and organized, multiplayer video game competitions, typically between professional players.
Competitive Gaming. A form of competitive video gaming that involves individual players or teams competing to win a tournament or other prize.
Professional Gamer. A player who is paid to play video games competitively, either as a member of a team or as an individual.
Streamer. Someone who broadcasts their gaming activities on the internet.
Twitch. A popular streaming platform where gamers can live stream their gaming sessions for others to watch and support.
LAN Tournament. A Local Area Network (LAN) tournament is an event where people meet up to play video games on a local network, such as in a basement or a large hall.
LAN Center. A LAN center is a facility where people can go to play video games in a LAN tournament format.
Major Tournament. A major tournament is a professional gaming event with high-level competition, large cash prizes, and worldwide recognition.
Game League. A game league is a professional organization that hosts tournaments and events for players to compete in.
Pro Player. A pro player is a professional gamer who competes in tournaments at the highest level of competition and earns large prize pools.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary of a professional video game player?

The average salary of a professional video game player is estimated to range from $50,000 to $500,000 per year, depending on the level at which the player competes, their sponsorships, and their winnings.

How many professional video game players are there in the world?

According to the most recent estimates, there are over 5 million professional video game players worldwide.

What platforms are professional video game players most active on?

Professional video game players are most active on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms.

What game genres do professional video game players typically compete in?

Professional video game players typically compete in the genres of first-person shooters, fighting games, sports games, battle royales, and multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBAs).

What are some of the most popular esports tournaments?

Some of the most popular esports tournaments include the League of Legends World Championship, the Dota 2 International, and the Call of Duty League Championship.

Web Resources

Professional Gaming Video Game Dissection sites.psu.edu
Jobs in the Video Game Industry | Lindenwood University Online online.lindenwood.edu
Playing action video games can boost learning : www.rochester.edu